Tradegy sparks steps safety plea (From Stroud News and Journal)

Tradegy sparks steps safety plea

A GRIEVING daughter has called for safety to be made a priority on the Subscription Room steps after a routine shopping trip resulted in tragedy for her family.

Rachel Markwick's father, Geoffrey Williams slipped and broke his leg in October while negotiating the forecourt steps in wet weather.

But while he was being treated in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital he developed breathing problems and chest pains.

Mr Williams, 74, underwent a heart bypass operation at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital on November 1 did not recover from the operation. He died on November 4.

The former Reuters reporter was described by his daughter as fit for his age and steady on his feet before he fell.

But she said he had found the steps awkward - an experience she believes is shared by many of Stroud's older generation.

"The paving was slippery and he just wasn't able to see the edge of the steps," said Mrs Markwick.

"He had angina but was being treated by his local doctor and nobody had suggested he was in danger."

While Mr Williams' family accept the fall did not directly cause his death they believe it was a contributory factor.

"As a family we don't feel he would have died if he hadn't had that fall on the forecourt," said his daughter.

She said safety now had to be made a priority to make sure the steps were not a hazard for others.

Council spokesman David Marshall expressed sympathy for the family but said the district council did not accept any liability for the accident.

"The material used, York stone, is the same material that is used in pedestrian schemes up and down the country and we are not aware of any question of safety with it," he said.

"We've had the design of the scheme checked out and it's been found to be safe. "Having said that there are obviously concerns about the steps and we're having hand rails fitted.

"We're also seeing if something can be done to make the edge of the steps more visible.

"The handrail is something people have asked for and we are responding to that," said the spokesman. And he added: "It's already safe - this is a question of making things safer."

For more Stroud news see this weeks SNJ